BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8540, 21 September 1907, Page 3

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Mr Charles Blake, who hrs visitel Masterton many times with various companies, and who was always popular with local audiences, has decided to retire from the stage.- Mr Blake is a clever actor, and his decision to retire will be much regretted. Miss Dina Cooper, always a favourite with Masterton audiences, las abandoned the idea of going into management on her own and will be the leading lady in one of Mr Allan Hamilton's numerous theatric, 1 companies. Miss Cooper, to the confusion of theatrical printers and linotype, artists, has resumed for stage purposes her baptismal appellation. It is a fearful and wonderful one— Khadijah! Such a name will require a special line on the bills and advertisements all to its little self. Miss Cooper first visited Masterton, if I am not mistake;.', with Miss Fitzmaurice Gill's company some years ago.

Messrs John Fuller and Sons have decided to send select vaudeville com panies to Masterton at suitable periods. The first of these visits will be paid next Wednesday. Mr Donovan, the genial advance for Messrs Fuller, informs ma tint the company to visit Masterton will include Bonita, the champion lady rifle shot; Cleopatra, queen of snake charmers; Madam and Professor Klaer, and their educated troop of dogs, cats and monkeys; "Victor the Great," a clever ventriloquist; and Miss Louie Whitfield, illustrated balladist. This is certainly ag)od bill of fare, and one that should please local patrons. Miss Eva Champion—who is described by the Australian papers as the. Kaiapoi contralto—-has been singing successfully in Sydney recently at a complimentary concert tendered to her. Miss Champion sang Liddle's "Abide With Me," an air of Gluck's, Schubert's "Cradle Song, and Quitter's ' : d>ms Ba':k." Her voice is spoken of as melodious, clear, round, but lacking somewhat in animation.

For some time past rumours have been circulated as to the intended visit to the colonies of those Princes of the Black Art, Messrs Maskelyne an:! Cooke. Now it is understood that this will eventuate under the auspices of Mr H. Hayward. The Besses o' the Barn Band have been scoring a great success at Adelaide, over 10,000 being present at each of their two open-air concerts there. After an excellent season at the Exhibition Building, in Melbourne, the Besses departed on a country tour. At the end of tha present month a series of open-air concerts will be given by them in Sydrey.

Signorina Fatima Miris is creating a sensation on the Italian stage, says a London paper. Single-handed she has produced the "Geisha," representing herself all the fifteen principal parts, and changing her costume 175 times. Her performance lasts three hours, and at no time is she off tthe stage for more than ten seconds. :She has a marvellous voice, and can ■sing soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. The critics declare that the lady, who is only twenty-four years •of age, is Siddons, Nellie Farren, Florence Sc. John, and Fregoli rolled into one. At present she is performing at Bologna a piece enitled "La Grand Via," in which she makes •over 100 changes of costume. "The Dairymaids," which was produced for the first time in Australia at Her Majesty'o Theatre, Melbourne ■on Saturday, September 7th, give promise of being a great success. On the opening night the theatre wass thronged with an audience which was not slow to appreciate all the good things which the new musical play provided. Miss Fanny Dango in the part of Peggy, very soon showed that she is likely to prove a distinct acquisition to the Australian musical stage, and in her singing and acting, as well as with her bright vivacious • style, she succeeded in meeting with the heartiest of approval. Miss Emma Temple also received an enthusiastic welcome when she made ■her appearance as Miss Pyechase, a >part to which she was specially well suited. Miss Florence Young had a singing part and her fine voice was h.3ardtod2.:id3l ad van tag 3 in several taking numbers. Mr George Lauri found himself quite at home in the low comedy part of Jue Mivens, and the rest of the company, including Misses Clara Clifton and Alma Barber and Messrs Fvei Leslie, Reginald JRoberts aid C. R. Bantock, had cor.- j genial parts and contributed largely to the success of the production, j The very gratifying success which : .marked Mr Andrew Mack's season in Melbourne is being continued in -Sydney. "Tom Moore," his opening production, was received by exceptionally large audiences, the size of which would certainly have justified the piece being kept on for another fortnight had time permitted. But the season is to be one of quick changes, and "The Way to Kenmare" succeeded the one week production of the first-named piece and was also enthusiastically received. "Ar-rah-na-Pogue," which will be the next piece to go up, is sure of a warm reception. Mr Julius Knight delighted his audiences at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, with "Robin Hood." The season, however, was a brief one, and on Saturday last "Raffles" took up the running. A great source of interest in regard to the latter production will be the appearance of Miss Beatrice Irwin, .who has just arrived from London under engagement to Mr J. C. Williamson, and who will take the part of Gwendoline Conran. , T . , The J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company are finishing a very successful season in Adelaide, and will then go on to Perth and Kalgoorlie, where they intend doing "The Girl from Kays," which they are now rehearsing. Mr Victor Couriefc will anpear as Hoggenheimer, and Mr Myles Clifton as Fitzthistle. At the close of their North Queensland tour the Bruno Company will return to Sydney and begin rehearsals on "Brewster's Millions," which wnl be produced there on October 12th. Mr Thomas Kingston will head the Company, and special interest will be centred in the organisation on account of the inclusion therein of Mrs Robert Brough as Mrs Dan De Mille, and Miss Lily Titheridge as Peggy. Messrs Gregan MacMahon and W. Pauonhave also been engaged for light comedy parts in the production.